Draft:Mohammad Jafar Taherzadeh

= Mohammad Jafar Taherzadeh =

Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, born March 22, 1965, in Isfahan, Iran, is a Swedish citizen and a prominent Full Professor in Bioprocess Technology. He currently chairs the Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery at The University of Borås, Sweden. His research primarily focuses on developing processes to convert waste and residuals into value-added products, specializing in pretreatment and fermentation techniques using anaerobic bacteria and filamentous fungi. He has authored over 500 publications in his field.

Academic career
Professor Taherzadeh embarked on his academic journey in 1989, obtaining a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, and an M.Sc. from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, in 1991. He completed his Ph.D. in Bioscience at Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden, in 1999, focusing on ethanol production from cellulosic materials through fermentation. In 2004, he was appointed as a professor in Bioprocess Technology at The University of Borås, Sweden. Taherzadeh's early fascination with chemistry during his high school years in his garage laid the foundation for his career. His academic path was enriched by consulting and research projects in biotechnology alongside his studies, leading to his significant contributions in the field. This included his work at Chalmers and Lund University of Technology on ethanol and cellulose, and at Isfahan University of Technology on biotechnology education and research. Since 2004, his research has evolved to focus on converting waste and residual products into valuable commodities, including ethanol, biogas, hydrogen, feed, and super absorbents.

Appointment
His career has spanned various roles, from Associate Director at Jahad Daneshgahi Isfahan University of Technology to his current position as a Full Professor and Chairman at the University of Borås.


 * 1988-1991          Associate director of Jahad Daneshgahi, Isfahan Univ. of Tech., Iran
 * 1992-1994         Lecturer at Chemical Engineering Department, Isfahan Univ. of Tech., Iran
 * 1999-2001         Assistant professor at Dept. of Chemical Engineering II (40%), Lund Univ. of Tech., Lund, Sweden
 * 1999-2002        Assistant professor at Dept. of Chemical Reaction Engineering (60%), Chalmers Univ. of Tech., Göteborg, Sweden
 * 2001-2004       Assistant professor at Dept. of Chemical Engineering (40%), Isfahan Univ. of Tech., Isfahan, Iran
 * 2002-2004       Associate professor at Dept. of Chemical Reaction Engineering (60%), Chalmers Univ. of Tech., Göteborg, Sweden
 * 2004-   Full professor, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden
 * 2010-   Chairman of Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery at University of Borås, Sweden
 * 2010-2019        Panel member of “Chemical engineering, biotechnology and environmental engineering”, Swedish Research Council, Sweden (Chairman 2013-2015)
 * 2015-2023        Associate Editor “Bioresource Technology”, Elsevier
 * 2017-    Member of Central Council of International Bioprocessing Association (IBA or IFIBiop)
 * 2019-2022        Editor-in-Chief “Bioengineered” Taylor & Francis
 * 2020-   Editor “Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing”, Springer-Nature
 * 2023-   Member of the Board of Leading Research Groups, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Science

Research contributions
Professor Mohammad J. Taherzadeh's research spans across resource recovery, fermentation, food science, waste management, and ethanol fuel, with a focus on integrating biofuel, membrane technology, biogas, and pulp and paper industry insights into resource recovery studies. His expertise in fermentation merges the study of ethanol, yeast, and bioreactors. Taherzadeh's significant contributions to bioprocess technology, especially in biofuels, biopolymers, and waste recovery, are evidenced by his publication of over 430 scientific papers, 8 books, more than 40 book chapters, and 6 patents. His work, highly cited with over 34,000 citations and an h-index of 92, positions him among the top 5 researchers globally in biogas and filamentous fungi. Furthermore, his leadership in over 70 research projects, along with collaborations on sustainable technologies with various companies and institutions worldwide, underscores his pivotal role in advancing bioenergy and sustainable waste management solutions.

In a notable study, Professor Taherzadeh contributed to the development of membrane bioreactors for the continuous production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from food waste. This research outlined an efficient process for VFA production, including high yields and in-situ recovery without external pH control. The work highlights the potential for waste conversion into valuable bioproducts using advanced biotechnological methods, showcasing his contributions to bioresource technology.

Honors and Awards

 * 1992:        Prize for the excellent rank among the graduated Chemical Engineers awarded by Iran’s President
 * 2007:       Prize for the best industrial applicable project of the university, School of Engineering, University of Borås, Sweden
 * 2014:       Award as fellow of International Bioprocessing Association
 * 2016:       KIA Laureate of the 29th Khwarizmi International Award by Iran’s President
 * 2016:       Outstanding efforts to the agricultural sector, by FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nation
 * 2021:       Distinguished Scientist Award for the year 2019-2020, by International Bioprocessing Association

Millow and Industrial experience
In 2020, Professor Taherzadeh expanded his academic pursuits into entrepreneurship by founding Millow AB, a company focused on developing sustainable food products through fermentation technology. At Millow, he applies his expertise to create a meat alternative from mycelium and oats, aiming to offer a sustainable and nutritious option in the food industry. This venture aligns with his broader industrial experience, which includes conducting feasibility studies, designing wastewater treatment units, and developing bio-based products and processes across several countries. Taherzadeh's work at Millow reflects his commitment to applying biotechnological innovations for sustainable development.

Teaching activities
Taherzadeh has contributed to education through teaching various courses related to chemical engineering and biotechnology at institutions such as Isfahan University of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and the University of Borås. He has also been instrumental in developing educational programs and international partnerships for the University of Borås.

== Selected Publications == Given the extensive publication record of Professor Taherzadeh, highlighted below are a few of his most influential and cited works. These publications have been chosen based on their citation counts, and their contribution to advancing research in environmental engineering and biotechnology.


 * Taherzadeh, M.J., et al. (2008). "Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Wastes to Improve Ethanol and Biogas Production: A Review" International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 9 (9), 1621-1651. DOI: 10.3390/ijms9091621. This work by Professor Taherzadeh critically reviews methods to enhance biofuel production from lignocellulosic wastes, focusing on improving enzymatic hydrolysis. It addresses overcoming the inherent resistance of these materials, significantly contributing to renewable energy technology advancements.
 * Taherzadeh, M.J., et al. (2007). "Enzymatic-based hydrolysis processes for ethanol from lignocellulosic materials: A review" BioResources 2 (4), 707-738. DOI: 10.15376/biores.2.4.707-738. The article reviews enzymatic ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials, focusing on pretreatment methods to improve cellulase access to cellulose and hemicellulose. It discusses various hydrolysis and fermentation strategies (SHF, SSF, NSSF, SSCF, CBP), by-product management, wastewater treatment, and the commercial aspects of bioethanol production, aiming to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the process.
 * Taherzadeh, M.J., et al. (2007). "Acid-based hydrolysis processes for ethanol from lignocellulosic materials: A review." BioResources 2 (3), 472-499. DOI:10.15376/biores.2.4.472-499. The study examines acid-based hydrolysis for bioethanol production from lignocellulosic materials, highlighting its potential due to historical use and recent advancements. It covers technological improvements, pretreatment, reactor technologies, fermentation, and wastewater treatment, emphasizing the need for innovation to make ethanol production sustainable and economically viable.
 * Taherzadeh, M.J., et al. (2016). " A critical review of analytical methods in pretreatment of lignocelluloses: composition, imaging, and crystallinity”  Bioresource technology 200, 1008-1018. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.11.022. The study critically reviews methods to make lignocelluloses—materials for biofuel and chemicals—more accessible for conversion, analyzing various pretreatment strategies. It emphasizes the need for effective techniques to enhance biofuel production, with implications for industry practices and energy policy.
 * Taherzadeh, M.J., et al. (2002). " Inhibition effects of furfural on alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase" Biochemical journal 363 (3), 769-776. DOI: 10.1042/bj3630769. This study elucidates the inhibitory effects of furfural on enzymes critical to ethanol production, showing significant reductions in enzyme activity at low concentrations. It differentiates the inhibition mechanisms as competitive for alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, and non-competitive for pyruvate dehydrogenase. These insights contribute to understanding how to counteract furfural's negative impact on bioethanol fermentation efficiency.